[Question #9799] Syphilis question
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28 months ago
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Can a person have syphilis for almost 30 years without ever knowing it? I am 61 years old, married for 26 years, have a 24 year old son, and I had an endless number of various tests over the years,all normal - probably too many screenings and too many visits to doctors. I have NOT been sexually active for probably 8 years, but I had numerous HIV tests regardless of that fact. My husband had one when I forced him to. I never had any symptoms of syphilis ASHA has listed - I would remember because I freak out to the smallest change on my body. In 1995 when my husband and I got married, in Pennsylvania , you still had to get syphilis tests to get a marriage license- both negative. However, in the past year, on and off, I get this fear that maybe somehow it was missed! I know I have mental issues, and would love to get rid of these thoughts.Bottom line: is this possible, what I asked in my first sentence? I apologize if I am not taking valuable time from /space from others.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
28 months ago
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Welcome to our Forum. I'll do my best to help. The short answer is that with the history you provide there is simply no way that you could have syphilis. It sounds to me as though you, for some reason are worried about having acquired HIV and/or syphilis in the past. Because of these concerns, you have apparently tested for both syphilis and HIV on numerous occasions. Assuming that hose tests were all negative, there is simply no reason for concern or for further testing. The tests for both syphilis and HIV are highly reliable. Negative tests rule out the possibility of infection.
I hope my assessment is helpful. If any part of my message is unclear or you wish to provide further detail, please feel free to do so. EWH
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28 months ago
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Dear Dr. Hook, as you may have seen from my previous questions on the Forum, I do have severe OCD regarding contamination, germs and any kind of infection. My husband and I were tested for syphilis before we were married ( negative), and as my anxiety and OCD developed throughout the years, I started testing for HIV making up most outlandish scenarios of getting infected, since I have not been sexually active for many years now. I never tested for syphilis again, because I had no reason, until it popped into my head , also for no reason. I am very grateful for you reply, just confirm to me that in my particular case, I do not have it - that is: a healthy person cannot carry it for years without ever having any symptoms whatsoever which would be typical for that particular disease. I presume one of my numerous physicians would at some point notice something, right? Thank you very much again.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
28 months ago
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Thanks for the additional information. Apparently heathy persons can have syphilis without symptoms but in your circumstance it would be most unusual. If you have not been tested since your marriage (and your pregnancy- testing is routinely performed in pregnant women) then testing on a single occasion would entirely rule out the possibility of syphilis. I am confident that yuo do not want if but testing would answer this once and for all, as long as you commit to accepting your test results BEFORE you test. Then you should focus on your OCD. EWH---
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28 months ago
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Thank you very much Dr. Hook. You can close this now.
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28 months ago
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Actually, I rushed too much to tell you to close, so sorry. You are right, going to test would give my huge additional anxiety. You say a person can be healthy, but can a person NEVER have a single symptom, in any of the phases? Is that what you are saying? Please Dr. Hook, before you close, just your last (comforting) words to me. Thank you so much.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
28 months ago
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I think you are worrying entirely too much. Most persons suffering with syphilis would have some symptom.
With this this completes this thread. I urge you to put your concerns aside and more forward without continuing concern. There should be no reason for you to return to the thread. Please don't worry. Deal withyour OCD. EWH
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